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Ireland<\/strong> have announced a 14-member squad for their one-off Test against New Zealand<\/strong>, with four uncapped players receiving their maiden call-ups ahead of the historic contest in Belfast. The four-day Test, beginning on May 27 at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Stormont, will mark Ireland\u2019s 14th appearance in the longest format and their first-ever Test against the Black Caps.<\/p>\n Young opener Jake Egan<\/strong> and fast bowlers Tom Mayes, Reuben Wilson<\/strong> and Liam McCarthy<\/strong> headline the squad selection, signaling Ireland\u2019s continued focus on building depth in red-ball cricket despite several injury setbacks in the camp.<\/p>\n Among the new faces, 22-year-old Jake Egan and 19-year-old pacer Reuben Wilson<\/strong> are yet to make their international debuts in any format. Both players recently featured in the Emerald Challenge<\/strong>, a domestic fixture involving some of Ireland\u2019s top red-ball cricketers, where they caught the attention of selectors with composed performances.<\/p>\n Wilson\u2019s inclusion is particularly notable given his age and limited first-class experience, while Egan\u2019s steady rise in domestic cricket has now earned him an opportunity at the highest level.<\/p>\n Mayes and McCarthy, meanwhile, have already represented Ireland in white-ball cricket but are now set to enter the Test arena for the first time. The inclusion of three seamers underlines Ireland\u2019s intention to field a strong pace attack in Belfast conditions that are expected to assist fast bowlers.<\/p>\n Ireland will head into the Test without several senior players due to injuries. Veteran batter Paul Stirling<\/strong><\/a> has been ruled out after suffering a Grade 2C strain during the Emerald Challenge. Stirling had earlier endured a difficult ICC Men\u2019s T20 World Cup campaign after injuring his knee in Ireland\u2019s clash against Australia.<\/p>\n The Irish side has also lost experienced pacer Barry McCarthy<\/strong> for the remainder of the year because of a left ACL injury. Spinner Gavin Hoey<\/strong> is unavailable due to a left side strain, while Josh Little<\/strong> continues recovery from a rib stress fracture. Jordan Neill<\/strong> has also missed selection after sustaining a right shoulder muscle tear.<\/p>\n In another important development, all-rounder Curtis Campher<\/strong><\/a> will feature purely as a batter in the Test as Cricket Ireland carefully manages his return to bowling duties.<\/p>\n Also READ: Gaby Lewis to lead Ireland\u2019s squad for the Women\u2019s T20 World Cup 2026<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Experienced batter Andrew Balbirnie<\/strong> will continue leading the side and is expected to anchor a relatively young squad alongside established names such as Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Mark Adair<\/strong> and Andrew McBrine<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Ireland\u2019s last Test assignment came in Bangladesh<\/strong> in November 2025, where they suffered defeats in both matches of the two-Test series. The upcoming encounter against New Zealand presents another stern challenge, but also a valuable opportunity for Ireland\u2019s emerging players to gain exposure against elite opposition.<\/p>\n With several youngsters earning their first opportunity and senior players missing out through injury, the Belfast Test could represent the beginning of a new chapter in Ireland\u2019s red-ball journey.<\/p>\n Ireland squad for New Zealand Test:<\/strong> Andrew Balbirnie (captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, Stephen Doheny, Jake Egan, Matthew Humphreys, Tom Mayes, Andrew McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Reuben Wilson, Craig Young<\/p>\nYoung talents rewarded after impressive domestic performances<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Injury setbacks force Ireland into changes<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Andrew Balbirnie to lead experienced core<\/strong><\/h2>\n